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HOUSE 2148116th CongressReferred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

Last Action
5/3/2019

Actions

  • 2019-05-03Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • 2019-04-29Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • 2019-04-09Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2019-04-09Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2019-04-09Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2019-04-09Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2019-04-09Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2019-04-09Introduced in House
  • 2019-04-09Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2019-04-09 (00)

Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act or the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

This bill sets forth provisions to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace and raises the minimum wage for tipped employees.

Specifically, the bill (1) makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual in the workplace based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, and a sex stereotype; (2) prohibits employers from entering into contracts or agreements with workers that contain certain nondisparagement or nondisclosure clauses; (3) prohibits predispute arbitration agreements and postdispute agreements with certain exceptions, and (4) establishes grant programs to prevent and respond to workplace discrimination and harassment, provide legal assistance for low-income workers related to employment discrimination, and establish a system of legal advocacy in states to protect the rights of workers.

Additionally, the bill, among other things

  • requires employers who have 15 or more employees to adopt a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy;
  • requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to provide specified training and resource materials, establish and convene a harassment prevention task force, and establish an Office of Education and Outreach with regard to prohibited discrimination and harassment in employment;
  • requires specified studies, reports, and research on prohibited harassment in employment; and
  • grants employees the right to retain their tips.

Cosponsors (20)

  • Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
  • Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
  • Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL)
  • ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
  • Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
  • Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
  • Andy Levin (D-MI)
  • JANICE SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL)
  • GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY)
  • BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
  • NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D-NY)
  • Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
  • Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
  • SUSAN DAVIS (D-CA)
  • ROSA DELAURO (D-CT)
  • Lori Trahan (D-MA)
  • TIM RYAN (D-OH)
  • Katie Hill (D-CA)
  • Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
  • Al Lawson (D-FL)

Subjects

  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Advisory bodies
  • Age discrimination
  • Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
  • Assault and harassment offenses
  • Census and government statistics
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Congressional agencies
  • Congressional officers and employees
  • Congressional oversight
  • Contracts and agency
  • Disability and health-based discrimination
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Genetics
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government studies and investigations
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.